Beef Rendang

  

      

"The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness."  So says Deepak Chopra in The Ultimate Happiness Prescription:  7 Keys to Joy and Enlightenment.  Through chapters guiding us how to Be Aware of Your Body, Find True Self-Esteem, and Give Up Being Right we learn that happiness is the goal of every other goal.  Chopra sees most people believing that happiness comes from becoming successful, accumulating wealth, being healthy and having good relationships.  He believes this is a mistake.  "Success, wealth, good health, and nurturing relationships are byproducts of happiness," says Chophra "not the cause."

    

Is Chopra right?  He wouldn't be able to say so since he suggests giving up being right.  However, he must certainly be a really happy guy, since he is reaping the byproducts of success and wealth.  What lessons do I take from Chopra?  One is that if I can get happiness from opening a book, I can get joy from opening a jar.  That is a modern home cook's dilemma, isn't it?  Are we semi-homemade, or are we intrepid culinary explorers?  Although for me, it's less about fear of the journey's path or destination, than fear of the time it will take to get there.  Of course, Chopra would probably say something like life is a journey that must be traveled.  But, at the end of a long kid-filled day with errands and grocery shopping, trips to the park and birthday parties, self-esteem is put aside for the body weary awareness that enlightenment, this evening anyway, will come from a jar of pre-prepared simmer sauce.

   

If there is ever a recipe to thank for coming pre-made, Rendang sauce is one.  While originating in Indonesia, Beef Rendang is favored by Malays in Malaysia and Singapore.  It is a rich coconut beef stew with a complex mix of southeast Asian spices.  It is often served at ceremonial occasions and to honored guests.  They should feel honored because it takes 3 hours to make, simmering cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cardamon, lemon grass, tamarind and palm sugar in coconut milk.  Time I want to take on some school nights?  20 minutes, or about the time it takes to cook the rice.  Still need convincing to put occasionally aside your inner chef?  As Chopra would say, "If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue."  So, some nights, quiet that internal dialogue, supress your ego, and find joy in a jar.  Serves 2.

      

Ingredients:

1 tbsp canola oil

1 lb beef appropriate for stir fry, cut into strips

salt/pepper

12 basil leaves, shredded

1 jar simmer sauce

     

Description:

Heat the oil in a wok or other fry pan over medium-high heat.  Add the beef and and brown for 4 minutes.  Add the simmer sauce and stir to mix.  Turn the heat to low and simmer gently uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.   Meanwhile, prepare the rice.  Plate the beef stew with the shredded basil on top.  Serve with the cooked rice.